The last few months over there were, quite ironically, the best in a long time. Everyone would soon be leaving to conquer cleaner shores, and the realization that it would be a while before we were all together like "this" again, got us all making that extra effort required to actually meet up. Spend time together. Even if it was just sitting at the beach. There was this huge "get together" that was planned. Everyone who was in town was given the itinerary and could drop in at whichever place to join in. A few of us, had kept the entire day free.
We all went back to school, met up with teachers who were surprised to realize that it had been four years since we had left school, that we all now had degrees in our pockets. Few of us, with longer hair, more stylish beards, new piercings, were finally starting to look "older"- the others however, still just looked like school kids. Espescially when compared to the kids you see in schools today. Sheesh.
Lunch, a movie, the beach, dinner. The only time I realize I'm 21 is when I get into a car with friends. It's quite different from using local transport because you are underage. Half of the crowd that went to the movie, got to the beach earlier than the second half. I was in the first half and hence happily spent the following half an hour/ forty five minutes complaining about guys who just had to make a detour en route for a "smoke" and/or took the longer route and got stuck in traffic, while catching up with classmates who I hadn't seen in over 5 years!
All of a sudden there's Rahul with this huge box in his hands and Kamlesh with another, leading the troops. In the next minute, the huge box was in my lap and the other being thrust in my hands. There was a big whoop of "surprise" with which my jaw dropped to the floor. "We will miss you", the cake read. Soon there was cake cutting, cake putting on my face, hugs, my mouth looked like it had a hangar stuck in it, street dogs who had smelt food, amused onlookers, around twenty five people laughing and wishing me well and my transferring the cake from my face on to a few shirts. The gift had a huge picture of me in the background, with "PK" spelt out using pictures of the entire gang over the years. People had made time to come because it was my surprise farewell. They wouldn't have missed it for the world, they told me. I was absolutely stunned.
I remained stunned till the night before I was going to leave when I was given the "second" part of my gift. A video in which everyone had recorded their message for me. All this from people who I had been scared to tell that I was leaving for the fear that their reactions of nonchalance would kill me. I hated to think that the people I had come to care for so dearly wouldn't care.
But they did. They understood the gifts I had made for them, they treasured them. They understood the significance of the surprise parties I had thrown for them, and thanked me for them. I wasn't just some "add on" to the group. I had made a difference, touched a few hearts. Made friends for life.
I continue to remain stunned till today.
*hugs*
I hope you're coping super with the change. I know moving sucks. But in a weird way, I think it makes you value all that you had more.
And don't you keep from updating for such a long time. :)
Hope you have an amazing time/life at the new place....
Such is life... makes you see things better from a distance....
p.s: new post on my blog!
Farewells!! I just had one, though it happened so suddenly that I didn't realize I was going till I was gone. I think you realize what you mean to you friends only when you say good bye.
I haven't been here in a while. Loved the new look.
that's adorable! everyone seems to be in the midst of new beginnings. i rather like my own so far, even though i can't believe it's already been two months since i got here.
update more! nice to see you back.
Haven't been around for a while, I know. But having read your post, I HAD to say this:
Thanks.
Cheers!
Shrikant
@Triya: Coping with change, yes. I am used to moving around, this stay at Chennai has been unusually long.
As to your second request, I will try :D
@ Adi: Thank you. And yes, I saw!
@ The i: That's the thing about life. You KNOW how much they mean to you, but you wait till the last minute to actually tell them.
Thanks, I remember spending 12 hours straight getting it to look the way I wanted it to.
@ A: Yes, it was. Funny how I'm going to be heading back in around ten days :D
@ Joshi: Hey stranger! It HAS been a while since you've gotten hear. I hope you're out of the swine area. Thank you? For what? Leaving chennai?
Thanks for dropping by guys,
All my love.
I get 'hear'd all the time, re - especially in 'swine-country'... :P
And I meant, thanks for the post! 'Twas a nice read... :)
Cheers!
Shrikant
Lol. I just saw those typos.
You're welcome anyday!
SG.